Publication of notification under Section 3a

## Policy Analysis Report: Notification Regarding National Highways Act, 1956 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 4827(E)) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, concerning the National Highways Act, 1956. This notification authorizes specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition and related activities for the Ambala-Shahzadpur-Naraingarh-Kalaamb Road Section of NH-72, specifically between Km 0.000 and Km 32.996 in Punjab and Haryana. The core purpose is to facilitate the building, widening (four-laning), maintenance, management, and operation of this road section. The key finding is the delegation of authority to specific officers for land acquisition within a defined geographical area. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notification S.O. 4827(E), dated November 22, 2021, pertaining to the National Highways Act, 1956, based solely on the provided text. The analysis focuses on the notification's purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and potential impact, as discernible from the document itself. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification pertains to the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Core Objective:** To authorize specific officers to act as competent authorities for land acquisition and related activities related to the development and maintenance of a specific section of National Highway 72. The ultimate objective, inferred from the text, is to improve road infrastructure along this stretch. **4. Background and Rationale:** Since this is a notification, we can infer that the rationale is to implement existing legislation (the National Highways Act, 1956) by designating specific officers to carry out its provisions. This suggests a need for action regarding the specified section of NH-72, likely due to planned or ongoing construction, widening, or maintenance activities. Without this notification, the improvements would not be able to proceed due to the lack of a designated authority to oversee land acquisition. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification establishes the following: * **Authorization of Competent Authorities:** It authorizes the officers mentioned in column 2 of the Schedule to perform the functions of competent authorities under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Geographical Scope:** The authorization applies to the Ambala-Shahzadpur-Naraingarh-Kalaamb Road Section of NH-72, between Km 0.000 and Km 32.996. * **Jurisdiction:** The jurisdiction covers District SAS Nagar (Mohali) in Punjab and District Ambala in Haryana. * **Purpose of Authorization:** The authorized activities include building, widening (four-laning), maintenance, management, and operation of the specified road section. * **Specific Competent Authority:** The District Revenue Officer, SAS Nagar, Mohali is the Competent Authority for the stretch from 0KM to 3.2 KM in the Village Khelan, Dera Bassi Tehsil/Mandal in SAS Nagar district of Punjab. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected parties and stakeholders include: * **Landowners:** Individuals and entities owning land within the specified stretch of NH-72 in Punjab and Haryana, who may be subject to land acquisition. * **Residents and Businesses:** Communities and businesses located along the specified stretch of NH-72, who will be affected by construction and improved road infrastructure. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** As indicated by the reference number "NHAIPIUCHD11163AmbalaKalaamb", the NHAI is likely involved in the project. * **The designated Competent Authorities:** Specifically, the District Revenue Officer of SAS Nagar. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the issuing authority. The NHAI is likely involved in the implementation of the project. * **Competent Authorities:** The officers mentioned in column 2 of the schedule are responsible for performing the functions under the National Highways Act, 1956. * **Procedure:** The text implies a procedure for land acquisition governed by the National Highways Act, 1956, which the designated authorities are now empowered to execute. * **Timelines:** No specific timelines are mentioned in the text; however, the notification's effective date coincides with its publication in the Official Gazette (November 22, 2021), indicating immediate effect. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this notification is to facilitate the smooth and efficient implementation of infrastructure projects along the specified section of NH-72. Specifically, this designation of authority is expected to expedite land acquisition processes, paving the way for road construction, widening, and maintenance activities. The expected impact includes improved road connectivity, reduced travel times, and enhanced transportation efficiency in the region. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notification S.O. 4827(E) is a crucial step in enabling the development and maintenance of the Ambala-Shahzadpur-Naraingarh-Kalaamb Road Section of NH-72. By designating competent authorities for land acquisition, the notification aims to streamline project implementation, ultimately contributing to improved transportation infrastructure and regional connectivity. This notification holds significant implications for landowners, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders along the specified stretch of NH-72, indicating the commencement of actions related to development of the specified highway section.

Key Entities Referenced